We'll put two up in the flybridge dash and two below in the pilothouse. The monitors have multiple inputs, so they will display all the navigation components as well as a windows-based computer and some video monitoring.
Next, we'll install the primary navigation system which will be a Furuno 1944CBB/NT black box NavNet vx2 radar/plotter. This package includes a 6 KW, 4-foot open array radar antenna and C-Map-based chart plotter. The control head is compact and operates all the functions of the system. This will be tied into one of the lower monitors in the pilothouse.
On the flybridge I will add a Furuno GP1920CBB/NT system which mirrors the model below, but does not include the radar antenna. When these two systems are networked together, the operator will be able to use all navigation components at either station using identical controllers. The GP1920CBB/NT does include the compatible Furuno GPS antenna, so that will be installed also.
To recap what we have so far, we have two 15-inch monitors on the bridge and two in the pilothouse dash. We have two identical Furuno NavNet vx2 black box systems using one monitor at each station. We also have the radar and GPS antenna accounted for.
Now we'll have to build up a network to tie all the NavNet components together and to be able to add more down the road. I'll add a Netgear network switch with eight ports. This is a standard off-the-shelf Ethernet hub that has enough ports for the current equipment and allows for some future expansion.
For each network component you will need a Furuno network hub adaptor and an Ethernet cable. You can save a little money by making up your own Ethernet cables, but life's too short and Furuno's cables work just fine, so I'll include them here. So far we have two network devices with the NavNet vx2 systems so we'll need the network wiring for those. A long cable will be required to connect the flybridge unit, so I'll put a 10-meter one on the list. The rest of the cabling can be shorter if the main hub is conveniently located below, near the pilothouse displays.
FurunoAbove, Furuno's 525ST bronze "tri-ducer" reads depth, speed and water temperature, and the fairing block insures accurate readings. Below, the pair are shown assembled.
FurunoNow that the backbone of the system is put together I can add some options to really make the NavNet system more powerful.
For depth, I'll add a black box fishfinder and transducer. A Furuno BBFF1 600-watt depth sounder plugs right into the network hub. The depth sounder can be displayed on either NavNet monitor and can be split with the radar, chart plotter or any combination of information available. I'll put a bronze through hull transducer with speed and temperature in the package, which also includes a high-speed fairing block to level the transducer during installation. The sounder module will also require networking cables.
Next we'll install the brand new Sirius BBWX1 weather module, which will overlay real-time weather graphics, sea temperature reports and emergency weather bulletins on the NavNet chart plotter. Much like Raymarine's satellite-based weather module, the BBWX1 requires a monthly subscription. Again, network cables are required.
There are several ways to track targets on radar these days. We will augment the Furuno radar with two collision-avoidance options offering better automatic target tracking. The first is an ARP11 PCB board that will be added to the black box NavNet processor. The ARP11 allows you to mark and track the course and speed of specific radar targets.
The next option will be AIS. An Automatic Identification System is a mandatory transceiver on ships, but an inexpensive receiver added to the NavNet system is an invaluable collision avoidance tool. I'll add the SeaCAS Safepassage 100 AIS receiver and an antenna. The SeaCAS system will tie into the Furuno radar display through its NMEA port and it will also be connected to an onboard computer. SeaCAS also offers a direct Furuno interface box that we will use to make the installation easier.
